Industry, State Challengers Seek Freeze of EPA Mercury Air Rule

Midwest Ozone Group and a coalition of Republican-led states are looking to pause air toxics standards governing mercury and heavy metal emissions while litigation proceeds over the EPA’s authority for the rule.

The trade association filed a motion to stay the rule on Monday, telling the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that a freeze is warranted since they are likely to succeed in convincing judges that the Environmental Protection Agency acted unlawfully.

The petitions for review were launched in May, challenging the new, stricter limits the EPA placed over coal-fired facilities that release mercury and ...